The Bradesco and Itaú Unibanco banks were fined by the State Consumer Protection and Defense Program (Decon), of the Public Ministry of Ceará, in the amount of R$ 1,700,654.40 for abusive practices, failures in the provision of financial services, and failure to provide information to customers. The penalty results from 34 administrative decisions issued in August and September.
Among the irregularities detected by Decon, are the hiring of loans without the consumer's consent, unjustified charges, the sale of insurance without consent, banking fraud, social engineering scams, failures in credit card operations, unjustified negative entries, and non-compliance with offers.
Complaints were also registered related to automatic credit card installment plans, unauthorized refinancing, charging fees during periods of exemption, and failures in bill payment, as well as the absence of refunds after purchase cancellations.
Several of these cases involved elderly and vulnerable people, which contributed to the increase in the penalty. Among the cases, there was one related to a person with a disability due to the unjustified charging of insurance.
The fines were fixed based on the Consumer Protection Code, considering the severity of the violations, the extent of the damages caused, and the economic capacity of the suppliers. The companies were notified of the decisions and may present any administrative appeals.
Consumers who identify irregularities or have their rights violated can file complaints and reports with the agency.
Decon/CE service channels:
E-mail:decon.fisc@mpce.mp.br
Telephone: (85) 3106–5164
WhatsApp: (85) 98685–6748
The postThe Public Prosecutor's Office of Ceará fines Bradesco and Itaú for over R$ 1.7 million for service failures and abusive practicesappeared first inMPCE.